Library volunteers honoured at awards ceremony

You will see them when you go to check out a book, or when logging on to a computer, but for the most part the hard work done by Merton's library volunteers go unnoticed.

But last Thursday, those 600-some volunteers had a night to remember at an annual awards ceremony.

All volunteers were presented with a certificate in recognition of their contribution to Merton’s libraries, with awards going to a special, select few.

Paul Drewett has been volunteering at West Barnes Library for a little more than two years and was given the 'outstanding contribution award' in large part because he regularly stays after hours to help set out tables and chairs for the Tuesday Rendezvous Club to help support the older community. He even bakes cakes which he donates to the friends of the library when they run fairs.

The big winner of the night was Yvonne Smith.

A volunteer at the Morden Library, Ms Smith took out the volunteer of the year award.

While she has had her hand in a variety of projects since she started volunteering in 2012, it was her work with the ‘Carved in Stone’ project which focuses on Merton’s First World War heritage that gained her the honour.

Over the past year, Yvonne has pieced together the life stories of many Merton combatants, making information available to the public for the first time.

Councillor Nick Draper raised the dedication for all the volunteers.

“Our devoted volunteers give up their time, week after week, to help our staff make Merton’s libraries as fabulous as they are," he said.

"Thanks to their invaluable efforts our libraries are not only the best value of any in London, they have also been voted the best based on customer satisfaction and customer usage.

"My sincere thanks go out to them all.”

Other award winners included Sanjana Poddar, who was named the young volunteer of the year as well as the aged 16 and under volunteer team at Wimbledon Library and the IT support team at Mitcham Library who were named joint winners in the volunteer team of the year category.

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